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Ethics are both personal and administrative. Your personal ethics may be one thing, whereas the ethics you are required to follow under the guidelines set forth by the American Nursing Association or by the National Paralegal Association, may conflict with your own morality Nevertheless, you have a duty to follow such ethics parameters if you want to keep your job and avoid being sued for malpractice or violating confidentiality provisions.

While this article focuses on paralegal and medical professionals, many of these principles are also highly relevant within any situation where you are handling someone’s private information. Here are my top 11 ways to avoid violating professional ethics guidelines:

1. Study- If you are a nurse, study the ANA handbook. If you are a paralegal, study the NPA‘s handbook regarding ethics. Also, study the individual company policies provided to you once hired by a company provided to you at orientation. What you don’t know can get you killed!

2. Don’t Gossip: Clients are going to approach you with all sorts of embarrassing stories about their lives. Medical conditions, legal issues, stories of infidelity, infertility, and other stomach turning scenarios will be common place in any area of client relations. You must handle these scenarios with care. If you wouldn’t want it to be shared with the public, then its safe to assume that your client wouldn’t either. Practice empathy, and put yourself in their shoes.

3. Be mindful of eavesdropping: When speaking to a client on the phone or in person, be sure that these conversations are done so in a quiet, secure, and private area. If these conversations are accidentally heard by a third party, it could result in negative consequences.

4. Secure documents: Any paperwork relating to company secrets or client information shouldn’t lay around openly for passerbyers to see. Such documents should also be shredded, not crumpled up in a trash bin. Identity thieves and spies are everywhere. Do not make their jobs easier by mishandling documents.

5. Do not administer actions without permission: Unless you are directed by a licensed doctor or lawyer, nurses and paralegals are NOT allowed to give a personalized diagnosis, legal advice, or administer treatment. Nurses and Paralegals must also refrain from taking action when the client does not consent. Paralegals and nurses are “foot-soldiers”. We are to operate mostly by direct command, and rarely act independently, and even when we do, we are highly monitored.

6. Avoid the media: Addressing the media in regards to a client or the company you work for without authorization is a big NO-NO. You run the risk of defamation, releasing company trade-secrets, and other legal consequences.

7. Don’t be an accomplice: If you see your supervising Doctor or attorney doing something highly unethical or illegal, you have the right to speak up and file a report with the authorities. Do not become an accomplice to illegal activity.

8. Think twice before becoming a rouge: Becoming a whistleblower or acting on your own because it “feels right”, could make you go down in history as a brave hero and save lives, however, it will not be without consequences. Acting outside of your assigned role, even if it saves a life could still cost you your job or open you up for a malpractice lawsuit or legal sanctions. Before you try to become the next Edward Snowden, remember, there will be consequences.

9. Stay up to date: Ethics guidelines are subject to change. Most nurses and paralegals are required or encouraged to attend furthering education courses or “refresher courses”. These could serve you well so that you do not fall out of the loop for current industry standards.

10. Pledge your loyalty to your client: Your job is to be an advocate for your client and an assistant to your superior. Embrace this role fully! If you think an alternative remedy is in order, express this to your supervising Doctor or Attorney. Do this away from the client in order to protect the honor of your supervisor as to not undermine him. Also, do not conspire or speak with any outside forces who may work against the interests of your client and/or employer. You are being paid for such loyalty. Any actions you take which could be interpreted as being “disloyal” to either the client or your employer, could result in termination or a lawsuit.

11. Swallow your pride: Paralegals and Nurses should take great care in picking a field or concentrated area that lines up with their conscious. If you cannot fathom defending a murderer or thief, you may want to stay away from criminal law and try bankruptcy law instead. You can also ask to be removed from certain cases or refuse to work with certain clients who make you feel uncomfortable. However, regardless of how hard you try to manage your career, you will ultimately be forced to take actions that go against your own personal beliefs. It’s the nature of any business and something all employees must learn to accept. Do your best to minimize such circumstances but also learn how to justify such actions if absolutely necessary. Those who fail to rationalize their jobs will fall victim to alcoholism and other unhealthy coping methods if they do not learn how to cope naturally. Legal and medical professionals will benefit greatly from having a support system in friends and family.

The philosophy and administrative guidelines that govern the idea of “ethics” can get very complicated. If you are unsure about whether or not you may be violating your company’s standards of ethics, it never hurts to ask!

Did you know that 75% of the homeless population is made of us men? Most of whom have been through a divorce?

Did you know that men make up 93% of the prison population?

Did you know that men are usually granted harsher sentences than woman for the same crimes committed?

Did you know that men only win full custody of their children less than 10% of the time in divorce hearings?

Did you know that men pay over 90% of all child support orders whereas they face felony charges for getting behind?

Did you know that a man can be locked away for years for a false-allegation of rape even after he is proven innocent? (see the Brian Banks Case)

Did you know that the Federal Government gives the state governments $1 for every $1 they collect in child support via Title IVD of the Social Security Act (Conflict of Interest!)

Did you know that under Israel’s “Tender Years Law”, men are not entitled access to their children for the first 7 years of their life?

Do you know how to reduce your alimony or child support payments so that you don’t fall into a cycle of prison and job loss? — Hint, they will never tell you how in court! They hope you fail!

If you have a girlfriend, are thinking about getting married, are going through a divorce, have been through a divorce, or maybe you are a young man who is entering the world on his own for the first time…… YOU NEED THIS BOOK!

Or perhaps you are a woman who simply wants to understand the opposite gender. (If so, then kudos to you!). While we should recognize the unique struggles of women, this book highlights the unique challenges that men face, something that is rarely spoken about in the media since they expect men to remain silent and stoic.

This book is actually not a book but a report that was submitted to the United Nations regarding corruption against men regarding family law and criminal law. The UN rejected my report, thus I have decided to publish certain portions of it. The report was originally 54 pages long which contained personal information. This published rendition contains portions of the report to which I think the public could greatly benefit from.

The report can also be read for free on my “reports” page found on this website if you don’t have any money to spare. However, proceeds from the book purchases will go towards fighting for your rights!

It costs less than $10. The information in this book could literally save your life. If you have a brother, father, or male friend, this book is a must. And for those woman out there who are sympathetic to male issues, we salute you in your efforts!

DEFAULT 50/50 CUSTODY WITH $0 CHILD SUPPORT: If it is later discovered that there will be a disparity in custody and financial support is needed, cap the amount at no more than 20% of his NET income and/or a cap of $1,000 per month per child. Custody should be discussed BEFORE finances. Why is there a child support enforcement agency but no visitation enforcement agency? Women should not automatically be assumed to be the primary care-giver! Remove the money incentives!

BRING ACCOUNTABILITY: If Child support is to be paid. the money should go on a card whereas purchases can be tracked and challenged. Rent, Food, light bills, school supplies, ect. However, using that money for vacations or personal gain shall be barred!

DECRIMINALIZE FAILURE TO PAY- (How is incarceration or suspending driver’s licenses going to help a man earn more money?)

GIVE MEN PARENTAL CHOICE: – If women can abort why can’t men choose whether or not they want to be fathers? Follow Sweden, create a financial abortion clause. Men have 9 weeks to decide whether or not they want to take responsibility just as women have the right choice with abortion.

STOP THE FALSE ALLEGATION: False allegations of rape, abuse, or battery should be criminalized to the same extent as if the accused were guilty. Stop allowing women to get off free with black mail! (See the Brian Banks NFL rape case)

END THE CORRUPT TITLE IVD FUNDING: States are profiting from making men have higher than normal child support orders. For every $1 they collect, the federal government matches the amount!

CAP CHILD SUPPORT: Men and women should not be able to profit from child support. $1,000 per month per child should be the cap, regardless of how much money the non-custodial parent makes. A child certainly would not need more than that to survive and thrive.

ALLOW FOR CASES TO BE ENDED: Even with arrears being owed, a custodial parent shall have the right to dissolve the case completely at any time. This will foster better cooperation between parents.

EQUAL REPRESENTATION: Both parties shall be represented with council. Since child support comes with so many criminal sanctions and financial burdens, the state has a vested interest to provide counsel for both custodial and non-custodial parents. Currently, only custodial parents receive free counsel.

JOB PROGRAMS: Studies show that men who make atleast $42,000 per year almost never miss child support payments. Create job programs to help payers reach the national medium income.

END THE BRADLEY AMENDMENT OF 1986: This disregards a person’s ability to pay and forces them into prison. Being deployed in war? Get into a car wreck and become disabled? Doesn’t matter! The Bradley Amendment says you must pay or go to prison!

END FELONY CHARGES UNDER THE “Parental Responsibility Act” – This law says that a man/woman who falls behind more than $2,500 dollars can face felony charges. This can ruin a person’s job prospects indefinitely. Considering that most Americans live paycheck to paycheck, falling behind is easier than ever.

Effects: Men are more likely to commit suicide after divorce due to financial uncertainty and emotional baggage from being alienated from his children. Children who grow up with strong figures are 7 times more likely to commit violent crimes in the future.

USE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE AS A JUDGEMENT MODEL : In same-sex divorce cases, custody must be given based on merit, not on gender. While 50/50 custody should be the default, full custody should only be given based on merits alone.

GLOBAL EPIDEMIC: Germany, Japan, Israel, Canada— These atrocious laws are effecting people (mostly men) all over the globe. In our pursuits for stronger rights for women, we have totally discarded the feelings and contributions of men and their important role in our family society.